DESERTIFICATION STATUS MAPPING OF RATLAM DISTRICT,
MADHYA PRADESH USING IRS SATELLITE DATA
A.K. Kharea, Sandeep Goyala, R.K. Singha
A.S. Aryab, Ajaib
a
Remote Sensing Applications Centre, MP Council of Science & Technology, Bhopal
b
Space Application Centre, Deptt. of Space, ISRO, Ahmedabad
KEY WORDS: Desertification, Land degradation, Soil and water conservation
ABSTRACT:
Desertification is one of the world’s most alarming process of environmental degradation not as a natural problem of advancing deserts,
but a phenomenon of land degradation due to loss of land’s biological productivity, caused by human induced factors and climate change.
It affects one third of the earth’s surface and over a billion people. Moreover, it has potentially devasting consequences in terms of social
and economic costs. The pilot project at the behest of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India has been taken up by the
Space Applications Centre. Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh has been included in 10 districts selected for pilot study in the country.
Ratlam district is situated in the extreme western part of Madhya Pradesh. It is a part of Malwa Plateau and making boundary with
Rajasthan state also. It is being affected by the desertification process of nature extending from Rajasthan side, as observed during the
last few decades. Mass scale cattle grazing, lowering of ground water table, non-availability of surface water, scanty rainfall, skeletal
soil, loss of vegetation cover etc., are some the major problems of the district. Due to these problems the area is being converted into the
desert alarmingly. Maps depicting landuse/landcover, process of degradation and severity of degradation of Ratlam district have been
prepared on 1:50,000 scale using IRS-1C/1D LISS III data for Rabi and Kharif seasons pertaining to normal monsoon/rainfall seasons.
Analysis of results for Ratlam district reveals that about 50,780 ha. area of land with scrub was affected by degradation process such as
vegetation degradation (46,800 ha.), water erosion (398 ha.). Out of total geographical area 23,850 ha. of forest area was affected by
vegetation degradation. Total barren/rocky area affected was about 4,230 ha out of it 140 ha. was affected by water erosion. About
407240 ha. of other category was under degradation.
1. INTRODUCTION
Desertification is a continuous process of land degradation
leading to desert like conditions. The 1997, United Nations
Conference on Desertification, UNCOD in Nairobi described
desertification as the diminution or destruction of the biological
potential of land. The recent definition of United Nations is
“Land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas
resulting from various factors. Recently, in the 58th ordinary
session, General Assembly of United Nations has declared year
2006 as “The International Year of Deserts and Desertification
(1YYD” showing deep concern over this global problem.
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a joint
effort of member countries (including India to combat
desertification. Two major objectives of the UNCCD are (i) to
combat desertification and mitigate the effect of drought (ii) to
prepare long term integrated strategy to improve productivity
of land and sustainable management of land and water.
UNCCD has taken up six Thematic Programme Networks
(TPN). The first one, Thematic Programme Network is on
Desertification, Monitoring and Assessment. The overall
objective of TPN-1 is to enhance the desertification monitoring
and assessment capacities in the region through the
establishment of a network and the harmonization of
approaches for its conduct in the region. In India, Space
Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad has been identified as
the focal institutional network at the national level for
desertification monitoring and assessment.
The pilot project at the behest of Ministry of Environment and
Forests, Govt. of India has been taken up by the Space
Applications Centre. Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh has
been included in 10 districts selected for pilot study in the
country. Under the project, maps depicting landuse/landcover,
process of degradation and severity of degradation have been
prepared on 1:50,000 scale.
2. STUDY AREA
Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh is situated on Malwa
Plateau and located in the northwestern part of Madhya
Pradesh. It lies between North latitude 33o05’ to 23 o55’ and
East longitude 74o30’ to 75o42’ (figure 2.1) covering a
geographical area of 486100 ha, out of which an area of 49994
1
ha lies under reserved or protected forest. Ratlam is well
connected both by rail and roads. It is situated on the state
highway number 22 and 31. It is bounded by Jhabua, Dhar,
Mandsaur, Ujjain districts of MP and Banswara district of
Rajasthan. The topography of the area varies from place to
place. The district has maximum area under plain flat surface
with the exception of few hills and undulatory areas. The
undulatory terrain has a very thin soil cover. The height of hills
varies from 250 m to 600 m above MSL.Some areas are rugged
in nature due to dissection by streams and rivers. The general
slope of the area is towards north. Mahi and Chambal are the
two major rivers in the district. Mahi river flows from western
part of the district towards northwest and forms a part of
Chambal Catchment whereas the Chambal flows from the
central part of the district to northeast. Lithologically, the
district is constituted by various flows of Deccan Trap Basalt.
The climate of the area is dry except during the southwest
monsoon season. The study area receives the maximum rainfall
from southwest monsoon and the rainy season begins from
June to October where July is the month of maximum rainfall.
The annual average rainfall in Ratlam district is 900 mm. The
mean daily temperature in summer varies between 12 oC to 43
o
C.
Figure 2.1 – Location Map
A reconnaissance survey was conducted in and around the
study area to grossly assess the type, extent, cause and possible
consequence of the desertification problem with regards to
ground conditions. This was helpful in standardizing the image
signatures of various land degradation processes and their
varying severity. The rail, road, streams, water bodies and land
use/land cover map for pockets of degraded lands as per level1classification system (table 3.1), were delineated from satellite
images. The most important aspect was identification of
degradation process (level-2 classification – table 3.2) active in
each parcel of land facing desertification based on image
signatures and ground truth. Further assessment of severity of
degradation (level-3 classification – table 3.3) was done
depending upon signatures on image as well as ground truth
including soil sample analysis. Finally the digital database was
created on 5’ * 5’ interval grid using ARC/INFO GIS software.
Final desertification status map was prepared by integration of
all the layers (figure 3.1, last page). Flow chart of detail
methodology for preparation of desertification status map is
given below (figure -3.2).
Table 3.1 – Land Use/Land Cover (Level 1)
Agriculture - Unirrigated
Agriculture – Irrigated
Forest
Land with Scrub
Barren/Rocky Area
Water body/Drainage
Others (Urban, Man-made etc.) Built-up
(D)
(I)
(F)*/p
(S)**
(B/R)#
(W)
(T)
* Rocky areas within forest was annotated as only FV3-r in the
map.
** Vegetal degradation in Land with Scrub around periphery
of notified forests was delineated as SV.
Encroachment in forest area esp. agricultural practices is FV3.
# Barren and Rocky areas were delineated separately as B or
R.
Table 3.2 - Process of Degradation Level 2
Types of morphological processes resulting in degradation:
3. METHODOLOGY
To assess the desertification status landuse/landcover mapping
along with the process of degradation and severity of
degradation of Ratlam district was done on 1:50,000 scale.
False color composites of IRS-1C/1D LISS III satellite images
pertaining to Rabi (January and February 2002) and Kharif
(October 2001) seasons were used for mapping. Collateral data
as well as socio-economic profile of the district were collected
from the district headquarter and other concerned
organizations. After collecting the relevant and necessary
information about the district, the visual interpretation
technique was carried out for the preparation of desertification
status map.
Vegetation Degradation
Water Erosion
Wind Erosion
Water Logging
Man made (Mining/Brick Kiln Industrial Effluents,
City Waste, Urban Agg. Etc.)
(v)
(w)*
(e)
(l)
(m)
* Gully/ravines was shown as Xw3, where x is the Land
use/cover class of surrounding areas.
Table 3.3 - Severity of Degradation (Level 3)
Slight
Moderate
Severe
1
2
3
2
The details on the severity classes for different desertification
process are given below:
Vegetative Degradation
Status criteria
Desertification classes
Slight
Moderate
Severe
Plant community Climax or
Long
Ephemeral
slightly
lasting
secondary
changed
secondary
Percentage
of
> 75
75-25
< 25
climax species
Decrease of total
< 25
25-75
> 75
plant cover, %
Loss of forage,
< 25
25-75
> 75
%
Loss of current
< 25
25-75
> 75
increment
of
wood, %
Water Erosion
Status
criteria
Multidate Satellite
Images
Ancillary Data &
Maps
Thematic Maps
Base Map
Thematic Maps
Preliminary
Desertification
Status Map
Ground Truth
Field Verification
Final
Desertification
Status Map
Desertification classes
Slight
Non-Arable land
Type
of Sheet
erosion
erosion
(Depth and and/or
width is in Single rills(Depth < =
meters)
0.5 m and
Width =
0.4-0.9 m)
Density of
channels,
linear km
per sq.km.
Removal of
top
soil
horizon, %
Arable land
Removal of
top
soil
horizon
Loss
of
yield
of
main crop,
%
Figure 3.2 – Flow Chart of Methodology
<0.5
<25
Moderate
Severe
Rill erosion,
and/or
Formation
of gullies –
(Depth-0.63.0 m and
Width- 1.03.5 m)
Network or
gullies/Ravi
nes – (In
GulliesDepth 3 m10 m and
Width 3.520.0 m) In
Ravine
(Depth > 10
m, width
20-40 m)
1.5-3.0
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
0.5-1.5
25-50
>50
<25
25-50
>50
<25
25-50
>50
The major processes of degradation active in Ratlam district
were vegetation degradation and water erosion. Analysis of
results for Ratlam district revealed that about 50,780 ha. area of
land with scrub was affected by degradation process such as
vegetation degradation (46,800 ha), water erosion (398 ha).
Distribution of areas affected by various degradation processes
in barren/rock is shown in table 4.1.
Table 4.1 – Area wise Details Desertification Classes
Description of Desertification Class
Forest – vegetal degradation – Slight
Forest – vegetal degradation – Moderate
Forest – vegetal degradation – Severe
Land with scrub – vegetal degradation –
Slight
Land with scrub – vegetal degradation –
Moderate
Land with scrub – vegetal degradation –
Severe
Land with scrub – water – water erosion
– Moderate
Rocky area
Barren area
Barren – water erosion – Moderate
Others (Urban, Manmade etc.)
Total
Area (ha)
7610
9110
7130
6730
26600
13470
3980
1910
2180
140
407240
486100
3
Thus, desilting and deepening of these tanks is
suggested wherever required.
4.1 Desertification of Forest Area
Vast stretches of this category were found in the hilly tracts.
These were confined mainly to hill slopes and piedmonts
zones. Degradation is mainly due to unauthorized felling of
trees to meet the demands of inhabitants for fuel, fodder and
timber. The notified Khundiyan Protected Forest and Khafuna
Palchuna Protected Forest area are also degraded in patches.
1.
4.2 Desertification of Land with Scrub
2.
It consists of those lands which are presently not used for
agriculture. These are generally located relatively higher
topographic positions. Thin soil cover exists on top, which
mostly support grasses vegetation. Degradation process active
in these areas include water erosion and vegetation degradation.
This type of wasteland is seen near village Gundanpura,
Dhaminiya, Palsari and Rechachu etc.
3.
REFERENCES
4.
5.
6.
4.3 Barren/Rocky Area
Barren land represents those areas, which are mostly devoid of
vegetation cover. Thickness of soil cover on surface is almost
negligible. Rocky areas are rock exposures of different types
which occur as massive rocks, boulders etc. Degradation
process in barren land is water erosion. It is resulted in
formation of hill and ravine depending upon severity level.
5. CONCLUSION
Ratlam district is a part of Malwa Plateau and making
boundary with Rajasthan State. Part of the area is rugged in
nature due to dissection by streams and rivers. Kshipra and
Chambal are the two major rivers in the district. It is being
affected by the desertification process of nature extending from
Rajasthan side, as observed during the last few decades. Mass
scale of cattle grazing, lowering of ground water table, non
availability of surface water, scanty rainfall, skeletal soil, less
of vegetation cover etc. are some of the major problems of the
district. Keeping in view the importance and seriousness of the
problem, some control measures that are recommended in the
area to combat desertification include:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Soil and water conservation measures to control soil
erosion and to conserve water resources.
Land with scrub can be reclaimed by increasing
fertility of soil, selective crop rotation and by
development of irrigation facilities.
Reclamation of degraded forest can be done by
afforestation
programme,
regulate
forestry,
prevention of illegal cutting and excessive grazing by
making cattle proof trenches.
Extension of gullied and ravenous land can be
checked by growing permanent vegetation covers and
making check dams and bunds at suitable places.
In the district, there are many water bodies/tanks of
various sizes some of them are old and some are
newly constructed. Due to deposition of silt, these
water bodies/tanks require desilting activity in order
to increase the volume of surface water storage.
7.
Anonymous, 1994, “Soil Series of Indi”, National Bureau
of Soil Survey and Landuse Planning, Nagpur, India.
Anonymous, 1977, “United Nation Conference on
Desertification”, United Nations, Nairobi.
Anonymous, 1977, “Round up Plan of Action and
Resolutions”, United Nations, Nairobi.
Anonymous, 1979, “District Gazetteer”, District
Gazetteer Department, Govt. of MP. Bhopal, India.
Anonymous, “Reappraisal Hydro -geological Surveys in
Ratlam, Bajna and Sailanca Blocks of Ratlam District”,
Central Ground Water Board, Bhopal, India.
Hrahsheh H., Tateishi R., 2000, “Desertification Mapping
of West Asia – A GIS and Remote Sensing Application”,
Asian Conference of Remote Sensing, Taipei, Taiwan.
Anonymous, 2003,“Desertification Status Mapping,
Technical Guidelines” Space Applications Centre,
Ahmedabad, India.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors places on record their deep sense of gratitude to
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, New
Delhi for sanctioning the project on “Desertification Status
Mapping”. The authors thankfully acknowledge the support
extended by Dr. J.G. Negi, Director General, MP Council of
Science & Technology, Bhopal and Dr. S. Khan, who was the
than Incharge, Remote Sensing Applications Centre,
MAPCOST, Bhopal for their support, keen interest and
providing facilities from MAPCOST to carry out the work.
Authors are grateful to Dr. S.K. Pathan, Head, LPPD, SAC,
Ahmedabad for his relentless encouragement to fulfill the
objectives of this project. The quality checking of maps was
conducted by a team comprising of Dr. B.R.M. Rao, Head, Soil
Division, NRSA, Hyderabad and Dr. P.S. Dhinwa Project
Manager, Cold Desert, SAC, Ahmedabad. We are highly
indebted for their guidance and suggestions in improving the
quality of the project work. Thanks are also due to Shri T.
Habib, Dr. Alok Choudhary and Shri S.N. Rajak, Scientists,
RSAC, Bhopal for their help to complete the project in time.
*****
4
Figure 3.1 - Desertification Status Map
5